Gun and ammunition



July i8, .1944. v M. 1 DODGE ETAL GUN AND AMMUNITION Filed Jan. 3l 1941 '7 Sheets-Shet l R. O mg W? m 1 A E m M l uw.A k E EL. NM/

July 18, 1 944. M. DODGE ET AL GUN AND AMMUNI T ION Filed Jan. 3l 1941 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. NEEM/1 L. 00065 July 18, 1944.

M. l.. DODGE ETAL GUN AND AMMUNITION 7 Sheets-Sheet Z Filed Jan. 5l 1941 INVENTOR. MERTOH L. 00065 BY WML/4M M BA1/(fe J@ N Julyls, 1944.

M. L. DODGE ET ALl GUN AND MMUNITION 7 sheets-sheet 4 Filed Jan. 51 1941 INVENT OR. MERTo/v L 00055 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 GUN AND AMMUN I T I ON M. L. DODGE ET AL.

Filed Jan. 3l 1941 -July 18, 1944.

July 18, 1944.

M. L. DODGE ET Al.

GUN AND AMMUNITION '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 3l 1941 INVENTOR. ME/PT/Y 1.00065 'July 18, 1944.

M. l.. DODGE ET Al.

GUN AND AMMUNITION Filed Jan. 51 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 .|II. w, da...

INVENT OR. MERTO/Y L. 00065 Patented July 18, 1944 GUN AND AmiUNITION Merton L. Dodge and William V. .Ba-ker, Seattle, Wash.

Application January 31, 1941, Serial No. 376,800

lf'Cl. 89-1) 7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in guns, and ammunition therefor, and has reference more particularly to improvements in means vfor the setting, or what may also be termed the cutting of fuses, as used in timing the bursting of projectiles as fired by anti-aircraft guns and the like; it being the principal object of the present invention to provide certain novel features in the fuse timing parts as incorporated in the shell itself, and also to novel features in the gun in which the shell is to be red, whereby the fuse timing parts may be set or adjusted after the shell has been placed vin the gun and the breech block closed.

More specifically stated, the objects of the presaccurately accomplished and continually `mainl tained after the shell has been loaded into the gun and the breech Iblock closed to provide that f the gun may be instantly fired upon complete setting, or at will any time thereafter.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a novel mechanism embodied in the breech end of the gun for rotating the shell Acase to eiiect the time setting of the fuse, and in conjunction therewith to provide means in the ,gun liner for engaging and holding the projectile while the case is rotated for setting ofthe fuse.

It is also an object of this invention to provide fuse timing means, as above stated, that may be operated manually or under control of, or inconjunction with a present-day Sperry director or similar device.

Still further objects of the invention reside in the provision of novel fuse timing parts inthe shell both for base and nose setting of the fuse.

Still further objects of the invention reside in the details of construction and in the combination of parts, andin vtheir mode of use, as will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, we have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Fig. l is a side elevation of a gun mounting showing the `breech end portion of a `gun of Athe anti-aircraft type in which devices embodied by the present invention, have been incorporated.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, sectional view of the breech end portion of the gun, taken in the vertical plane of line 2-2 inFigs. Sandi.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional detail taken on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2, showing the means vfor rotating and for determining the extent .of rotation of the shell case while the shell is .lreld inthe gun.

Fig. 4 is a top 'view of the breech end portion of the gun as equipped with parts embodying the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a .breech end elevation of the gun, showing the ibreech block in closed position.

6 is a 'view similar to that of Fig.. 5, showing the breech block `in `open position.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional detail, taken .on `fthe line l--l in Fig. 2, showing the `.rotating .ring whereby a shell case is |rotated, while .contained in the gun, for timing the fuse.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal, sectional view of a base timed .shell `embodying meansinfaccordance with the present invention for timing the fuse.

Figs. 9, 10, lland 12 yare face viewaeachshowing a face View of one of the fuse parts used in the shell of A8.

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal :sectional View of a nose-timed shell showing another type of `fuse timing mechanism.

Figs. 14, 15, 16 `and 17 are 'face views of parts of the fuse timing means in this latter shell.

Fig. 18 is a 'view of the breech iolock .actuating shaft of the gun.

Fig. 19 is a longitudinal, sectional view of Aa cylinder and piston to be used `as :an Valternfavt: means of actuating `the shell rotating mechanism of the Referring more indetail tothe drawings- In Fig. 1, we have shown, in side elevation, fan anti-aircraft gun -of la .type to which the present invention is applicable, and in Figs. .8 and 13, we have illustrated two different types of shells that may be fused in guns -of the type shown when equipped with fuse setting means `according Ato our invention.

It is to 'be understood, however, that we do not intend that the lpresent linvention shall .be restricted to this particular type of gun, .or to lguns of any particular caliber. ClhereforeJ the present drawings are to be considered more as illustrative -of structures that might :be used as shown or modied in certain respects as :to detail without departing from the spirit of Ythe invention.

Briefly described, the gun fas heretofore constructed and as hereinxillnstrated, comprises sa supporting structure ITD 'which in most instances, would .be mounted upon a base, -or foundation, l-Da in such manner as to permit it to be rotated ,about ra vertical laxis .for :tiring in -dierent directions as the need might arise. Fixed onV the structure I are spaced pivot yoke frames I I-I I,

betweenrwhich the gun mounting cradle I2 is located. This cradle is equipped at its opposite sides with trunnions I3-I3 which are rotatably fitted in bearings I4-I4 formed integrally with the upper ends of the frames I I -I I.

Fixed to the under side of theV cradle I2, parallel with and betweenthe frames I.I,-I I, is an The shaft I1 is equipped at one end with. 1

a bevel gear wheel I8 that meshes with a bevel gear wheel I9 iixed on a transversely extending".

elevating gear shaft 2U. This latter shaft is ,rev-

olubly mounted in suitable bearings in the side frame structure and is equipped at one side of` i the gun with a turning wheel 2|.

Rotation of the wheel 2| in opposite directions changesthe elevation or angle 'of the gun accordingly, as will be understood. v 3

The gun proper comprisesthe jacket 25, iitted with a liner 26 as noted in Fig. 2, which is pro-l videdwith .the customaryrriflings 21. The jacket is contained for recoil travel in the cradleand visformed atits lbreech end with an enlargement, 'as 1 at 28, providing a r forwardly facing shoulder 29 that will abut the rear end of the cradle to limit forward Yreturn ofthe gun after recoil. Thev usual recoil and `cushionsprings are not herein shown, butl may be of Vsuitable kind and provided to bring thefgunback to normal porsi,- tion, as shown in Fig. 1, after it is fired. n VfThebreech block is designated at35, and, as `here shown, is of the vertically sliding, wedge type, equipped at opposite sides'with vertical ribs 56 ywhich are tted in corresponding slots 31 in dends adapted to be Yguided directly engages, the held cam to rotatably ac tuate the shaft 44 in such manner as to cause the lever 43 to pull the breech block down.

The latching of the breech block in its downV position is eiected through the. action of shell extractor fin-gers. These lingers 5B-58 are located at opposite sides of the breech block, in the .breech recess and are provided at their upper ends with inwardly directed lips 59 for engaging beneath the rim of the shell' case or base ilange `when the shell is seated. Attheir lower ,'endsgthese fingers have outside lugs =6il inserted in Vslotted depressions 46I in the gun jacket at A'opposite sides of the breech chamber 38.

these ngers have inside lugs 62 at their lower in cam grooves 63 in the breech block. Y

.With thebreech block closed, ready for firing, the lips A59 ofthe extractin-g fingers are disposed in recesses or depressions 64 in the breech end ofthe shell chamber, as noted in Figs. 2Y` and 6.

kWhen the gunis red, and after recoil and `counter-recoil movement yhas taken: place, and during the opening action of the breech block by shaft 44, the inside lugs 52 of the ngers following inthev grooves 63, luntil the end lugs lay over the block shoulders 65, thus Ylatching the block in its down position. y With this movement of the extractor fingers, thef'shell isextracted from the .the walls at' the opposite sides .of :the breech recess 38;l AThese slots are inclined at slight angle -to thetplane of `the end of: the. gun so that the block 'will shiftV slightly. forward in closing and thus, upon engaging .the endof ,the cartridges, will force the latter into the seat as `will be un- ;derstood by reference to Fig. 2. n

The upper part of the block is. cutaway as at v"'-lilltto' permit insertion of the cartridge in the hamber when thebreech is open, and as noted S'Figi.;2.,'there.is a T-shaped'slotM formed in he lower part of the block, inclinedV upwardly :and towardthe .front faceof the block.4 .This

:slot .contains the,` AT-shaped end portion 42 of anY operating arm 43 which is operable for the raising and lowering of the breech block, The operating arm 43 'is an integralpartgof a transversely mounted operating. shaft ylll! rotatable in horizontalfbearings 45 n xed to thebreech of the `gun,.asv noted in Figs. 5 and 6, and at one end of theV shaft 44 is an upwardly directed crank arm ll'formed at its. end with an outwardly extended -lug 41.4 Also, on the shalt 44 is Va collar 48 equipped with av lug `49 to whichone yend of a closing chain 50 isl-attached; the chain ,being wrapped'about-.the collar and fixed at its forward end to the end oa piston rod 5I having va piston 52 at its-forward end, bearing-against a;

coiled spring 53 enclosed inaspring housing 54 which is attached tov the `jacket '25. When the ggun is driven rearwardly. in recoil, the shaft 44 Ico Figs. 8 to 1'7.

of the -usual ring pin mechanism in the breech block land indicated, in general, by numeral 69 in Fig. 2.

The mechanism of the present invention, inY

sofar as it applied tothe structures embodied in Vthe gun itself, Y,is shown best in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

The ammunition forthe gun, made in accordance with `this invention, is illustrated in detail lin First, describingY in a general way'the shells of Figs. 8 and 13; Each comprises lthe shell case 1I! and the projectile 1 I. The case of each Vshell contains the propelling charge, designated at 12,

and the projectile'body ineach instance has a` base end chamber 13 containing ,a bursting charge, designated at 131].'Each shell case also is providedV about vits base endwith an exy tractor flange 15b, and just forwardly ofthe flangeV is tted with arotating band or ring-.15 of relatively sonft metal. Theforward end portionof the shell case is fittedlaboutthe base end portion ofthe projectile, with its edge or rim curled inwardly and seated in a buttress type groove 16 4encircling the projectilebody. Just ahead ofthe groove 16, the projectileV body has a rotating band 11 of soft metal fitted thereto. When a shell, as y above described, is loaded into Vthe gun, the band Y 11 engages with the beveled .and pointed ends 21' ofthe barrel riflings, as seen in Fig. 2, and the projectile is thereby held against rotation Vin thegun... Likewise, inr seating a shell inthe gun,

the vsoft ring 15 is interlocked with inwardly, di-

rectedteeth or serrations`19 of a rotatable timing ugear 80, of annular form that is contained rotatably in therear end of the shelljchamber.

. As seenminFigs. Zaandlhtlie ring gear 30 is Also,

jacket.

of bar i90.

fitted within the gun jacket between the dat, rear end lsurface of the liner -26 and a retaining ring nut 82 that is threaded Vinto the rear end of the jacket at the base-of vthe breech recess 33; there being Aalso a locking ring, or rnut 83 threaded into the gun jacket to engage the end shoulder 26 lof the lliner as noted in Fig. '2, and this nut is flush with the end surface of the liner and serves as a bearing surface for the inner face of the 4ring gear 80.

With the :shell seated in the gun chamber, as shown `in Fig. :2, and with the lsoft metal rings 'l5 and 11 engaged respectively with the serrations of ring gear 80 `and the barrel riilings, it will be understood that upon rotation of the gear 130, the shell case will be rotated accordingly, while the projectile is retained against rotation in the In the present instance, the rotation of the .shell case relative to the projectile effects the setting of the fuse timing `mechanism which is contained at the base of the :projectile and which will be described in detail after describing the means which We have incorporated in the gun yfor rotating the ring gear 'to time Vthe fuse. This Lmechanism is disclosed best in Figs. 3 and 4, and :comprises a horizontally disposed rack oar `QQ contained slidably in a transverse -guideway Si in the gun and fitted at one end with a collar or sleeve 92 which extends from the side face of the gun jacket, with the corresponding end portion of the rack bar extending somewhat beyond the .end of the sleeve. .At vits other end, the bar S6 vis shouldered, as at 94, and seats a washer 65 which engages one end of a coiled spring Ei contained in a spring housing 91 fixed to the gun The spring is Linder compression and operates to urge the rack bar in one direction, ilthat being toward the fright-hand side in Fig. 3,

sufficient to rotate the shell casing one or less revolutions.

1 Now, by reference to Figs. f3 and 4, it is to `be noted that there .is a short horizontally disposed ishaft I| rotatably supported lengthwise of the gun in bearing l0 I-I 0| extending from the side fo'f the gun jacket at the breech end. On one end @of the shaft is an upwardly extended lever arm m2 with forked end |03 engaging the outer end lof sleeve 92 at opposite Vsidesof the extending end On `the other end of shaft |00 is a downwardly extending lever arm |05 mounting a -roller |106 at its end. This roller is in alinement with a cam surface |01 on alug |08 formed on the Yside of the breech block. Thus, when the breech 'block is moved to open position, this cam engages the roller |06 and -actuates the lever arm |05 to vlrotatefshaft |00 and cause .lever arm |02 to push the rack bar '00 Yinwardly to its limit of travel, Where it will `be held until the breech block is l'raised.

When a loaded shell is introduced into the gun, :and 'the breech block released and lifted, the cam ".|'08 then releases the lever |05 and the spring 96 moves the rack bar outwardly until it is stopped.

-This stopping point may beivaried by `mechanism vnow `to be described, thus to determine the time setting of theshell fuse.

This fuse'setting control mechanism is shown .in Figs. 3 and 4, and iscontained in a housing I5 carried by a bracket H6 attached to a lateral Aflange .56' of the gun cradle I2. The fuse setting mechanism is intended to be operated manually for .in :accordance with or under control of -a -lvfSperry director or a like device through reference to adial .I rotatably .mounted in the housing |15 and operated in the usual manner .of the fuse timing dial as used on guns of the type described. During the usual use of the gun, the dial I1 is turned, by suitable `electrical means, through a connection as designated at H8, by the director and is kept on the target, indicating proper length of fuse for timing the bursting positioncf the projectile. Another dial l I9 of smaller diameter concentrically overlies the dial and this rotates on a xed supporting stud |20. lDial ||9 is operated through suitable gear reduction, indicated by the gear wheels at I2 |22 and |23, by a gear wheel |24 that is integral with or fixed coaxially to a worm gear |25. The worm gear |25 is threaded on a timing pin |26 that is held in its guides by keys 21 for longitudinal travel and against rotation. The pin |26 is therefore adjustable longitudinally to different positions by rotation of the worm gear |25, and since it is alined with the rack bar 90, it serves to limit extent of outward travel of the latter, as will be understood by reference to Fig. 3.

Gear 25 is manually rotated to adjust the timing pin |26 and to actuate the dial |9 by turningof hand wheels |30 xed on the ends of a shaft |3| .extending transversely through the housing |5, and equipped with a worm |32 meshing with the gear |25.

In operation of this timing mechanism, the operator sits before 'the indicator dials and ||9 and by turning Vthe wheels |30, manually adjusting the dial |9 so that a given mark or character thereon matches up with a given mark on the dial which is under control of the director". The gearing before described will move the dial |I9 substantially through one revolution for the full endwise travel of the timing pin |26 and likewise, the director will move dial substantially one complete revolution for the total range or distance through which the gun is intended to operate.

It is apparent then that through the controlled extent of rotation of the gear 60, by the position of the timing pin `I 26, the fuse can be out or timed to regulate the bursting point of the projectile as decided by the director without regard to the 'human element of time, which must be considered `1n cutting fuses and placing the ammunition in take place without in any way interfering with `timing of the fuse, since the operator will be able to continue matching the dials up to the actual firing time.

Now, describing the fuse timing or cutting means as incorporated in the shells, first giving consideration to the shell of Fig, 8, which is of the base timed type, and bearing in mind that the projectile and shell case are relatively rotatable and thatthe fuse cutting is determined by the vextent; of rotation of the case relative to the projectile as held in the gun:

The fuse cutting means as incorporated in the shell of Fig. 8 comprises a timing ring |50 that is rotatably fitted in a rearwardly opening base recess |5| in the projectile body. This ring is held 1n vplace by an overlying retainer ring |52 that is threaded into the recess and secured against turning. Secured in the shell case, closely adjacent the retainer ring is a closure plate |5d and at the center of this plate, a shaft |55 is fixed and extends rotatably through a central opening |56 in the retainer ring 4|52 :and at its outer Yend has a AV feature of this arrangement-ofparts resides in the fact that. thershaft |55 has atapered por-Y Y channel |93 that encircles the ring |12.

tion: |55. and that thehole |56; inthe retainer4 rin'glis tapered accordingly .with'looseness suf'- .cient for turning. However, .when the projectile .retainer ring, opening through the` ring into an arcuate groove |93 vin the adjacent face of the timing ring |50, and from4 the end of this arcuate groove, a port |95 opens through the plate f .into an arcuate channel I 66 in the bottom surface of the projectile body recess |5I, and from this groove, a port |61 opens into projectile chamber ,1,3 containing the bursting charge. Y

As will be observed in Figs. 8 and 11, .there are provided a plurality of gas vents or outlet ports |68 that arevdirected outwardlyand' rearwardly-- from a channel |69 that encircles the timing disk- |50, and with whichchannel,y a port |69', which leads from the passage |65, communicates. As

port |88' opening into .the concussion; powder Ysocket |89 in which the concussion plunger |90 is confined by the closing cap 9|. j Also, there are gas vents as at |92 leading from the` channel. |31, andv vents |92 leading from A port |911V connects the passage |93 withfchannel |19 for venting the gases from the channels and'ports for the fuse train. Y

Assuming the fuse channels and Vports to.be filled with thefproper fuse powder it isquiteapparent thai-on igniting the powder pellet `in port |88' by the action ofthe concussion plung-V er,A the fire will advance through port |88, channel |81, port |85, groove |19, port |18', channel |18, chamber |11 and through tube |15 'to the bursting charge. The time of burning of 'this fuse is determined by the lengthening or shortening of the channel as effected by. the j rotary adjustment of the timing ring |12 as effected by the turning of the shell case in the gun Vrelative to the projectile body. f

With the gun so constructed, andthe shells thus equipped with the fusesetting or cutting means, it is quite readily apparent thatj the cut.- ting may be accomplished in the gun,V Further.- more, the setting will be in accordance with the degree of Vaccuracy of the yoperator in matching dials, since with the opening' of the gun breech soon as the projectile leaves the shell, the portsVv (Assuming that a powder train llsl the various ports and channels' above mentioned,v it is quite apparent that, on ignition of the powder train incident to firing the propelling charge in the case, the name will follow therealcng tothe bursting charge, and the time for this travel can n| |58(` are uncovered for the exhaust of gas from the be controlled by the rotary adjustment of the tatably through a central opening |14 on the ring |13 landthrough the base endof the projectile y loodyisa shaft |15. This has a-longitudinalbore travel of the bar which, in turnQis determined by the setting of the pin |25. -Y .Y

|19 open at one end, into they bursting charge chamber 13,.andat its other end to an encircling pocket'l'il in the retainer |13 from whichl chamber `a radialV channel |18 lextends. v Fromhthe channel WiL-a port |18 opens forwardly fromV "of the projectile, and this is fitted in a squared socket |89 in aV closure plug or plate |8| -fitted and secured in the shell case.

inthe ring |12 and is xedly secured by aV wedge screw .|83 .that is threadedinto the shaft end. '.Thus, onturning the shell case, the timing ring '|12`will be rotatably adjusted accordingl through the mediacynf the shaft |15.

The-.timing ring |12.. h as a; port 185 opening fromtlie end ofchannel |19 and this communicates with an arcuate channel |81Y in thebase of `recess|1| yfrom which a passage1|88leads to a.V

Y At its forward fend, the shaft is extended into a central bore |82 It is contemplated inthe construction of guns of this kind that the rack 'bar 90 might be actuated by gas or fluid .pressure in lieu of;` the spring' 96. To accomplish this, the structure of Fig. 19 would be employed. In this, the

washer 9 5, is replaced Vby a piston 95cc'fitted in Y the cylindrical spring housing, and vgasjor fluid :be coveredthereby,` it vWillhere -be statedthat `ammunitionofY the kind suitable for use inthis .gun Vwill be referred to as flxed ammunition" and. this. term" Shall, .apply .to that ammunition Awhich' has been illustratedin. detail in FigsfS and 13, or tor various modifications that might be employed.. f The thought to be imparted is that -all those claimshdrawn on the gun structure shall be `applicable for any, ammunition embodying-a Having thus described our invention, what we claimv as new therein ,and desire-[t0 secure by Letters Patent Vis- L A gun for the firing of ixedammunition 'of thecharacter describedhaving the shell case and projectile each equipped with rotatingbands for effecting.- relative rotation of 4 these parts for `timing the fusepsaidgun having a breech block movable between open `and closed positions and having-abutments in-thebarrel for holding;en

*' gagement with the rotating band of '.thef pro- -jectile,;a;ring. rotatably Vcontained'Y in the barrel to'receivefthe shell case thereinand having .pro-

.jections to `holdingly engage' with the rotating band of the shell case, a bar movably mounted in the gun to rotate the said ring for timing the fuse, resilient means acting against the bar to move it for rotating the said ring and shell case, a manually adjustable stop for determining and limiting travel of the bar in rotating the ring gear for fuse setting, and means operable incident to moving the breech block to open position to adjust the ring to an established starting position, and operable incident to closing the breech block to release the said bar for travel under influence of said resilient means and to` the extent permitted by the said manually adjustable stop.

2. A gun for the ring of fixed ammunition having the shell case and projectile each equipped with rotating bands and assembled for relative rotation to effect setting of the fuse; said gun having a breech block movable between open and closed positions and having riiings in the barrel to be engaged by the rotating band of the projectile to hold it against rotation for fuse setting, a ring gear rotatably fitted in the barrel at its breech end to receive the shell case therein and having projecting |parts to be engaged by the rotating band of the shell case for rotation of the latter, a rack bar slidable in the gun and engaging the ring gear for its actuation, a spring held under compression and acting against the bar for rotating the ring gear and shell case to set the fuse, a manually adjustablestop for limiting travel of the rack bar in a fuse setting operation, and means actuated incident to shifting of the breech block to open position for moving the rack bar and ring gear to an established starting position and for releasing the bar incident to moving the breech block to its closed position for travel to the extent permitted by the said manually set stop.

3. A gun as in claim 2 wherein the breech block has a cam formed thereon and wherein the means for actuating the rack bar to starting position comprises a lever pivotally mounted on the gun and positioned to be actuated by the said cam on the breech block.

4. In a round of base timed ammunition of the character described, a shell case, a projectile assembled with the case for relative rotative adjustment therein, and formed with a rearwardly opening socket in its base end wall, a, fuse timing ring rotatably fitted in the socket, a cover plate for the socket overlying the said ring and having a central opening, a closure plate fixed in the shell case adjacent the said cover plate, and a shaft extending through the central opening of the said cover plate and having one end fixed against rotation in the said timing ring and its other end fixed against rotation in the said closure plate.

5. A round of ammunition as in claim 4, wherein said central opening of the cover plate is forwardly tapered, and said shaft has a correspondingly tapered portion adapted to be wedged in said opening in a gas-tight joint under the iniiuence of the exploding propelling charge, and

. for locking the timing ring against rotation.

6. In ammunition of the character described, a shell case, a projectile assembled therewith for relative axial rotation, and having an inwardly tapered conical opening in the base wall, a fuse and a timing mechanism therefor mounted in the projectile, a closure member for the shell fixed therein against relative rotation, and a rotary shaft for setting the timing mechanism, extended from the base end of the projectile, and having a non-rotating connection with the said closure plate, and having a part adapted to be wedged into said conical base opening of the projectile under the force applied against the closure plate by explosion of the propelling charge. i

7. In a round of nose timed ammunition, a shell case, a projectile assembled therewith for relative rotative adjustment for setting a fuse, a fuse setting mechanism mounted at the nose of the projectile and including a rotatable timing ring, a closure plate iixed in the shell case and a rotating shaft for the ring extending axially of the projectile and through the base wall thereof, and having its end xed against rotation in the said closure plate; said shaft having a powder channel longitudinally thereof, open at its ends respectively to the timing fuse and to the detonating charge for the projectile; said base wall of the projectile having a conically tapered opening through which the shaft extends, and said shaft having a conical collar fixed thereon and adapted to be wedged into the said opening in a gas-tight joint by the action of the exploded propelling charge.

MERTON L. DODGE. WILLIAM V. BAKER. 

